Portal Poetry

26 Read, Write, Love, or Something Else

[lolinspired]

No remorse.

I know who I’m doing this for.

Eventually I’ll give generously

to the city that I wish loved me more.

To the city of children’s dreams

taken at the point of a gun.

Diamond, Anthony, Chyna, Dasmond, JaQuan.

[lolinspired]

Essentially, words are toys.

But I don’t play with them, I reprogram them.

I spill my ink intentionally

as an extension of my voice.

[lolinspired]

Every one of us is scorned

and has demons that we ignore.

We’re locked in families, bruised egos,

and remnants of ancestory

warring for nothing.

It’s hard to carry that so far.

It’s impossible to mend every scar.

So, start with yourself and what you want.

If you read this, just know that

you are the first to trust.

[lolinspired]

ForeverLand

Sunlight nestles perfectly in the crevice between two old buildings.

Ages ago, in this perfect crevice, I dug holes and planted flowers that grew in rich soil.

Now a piece of my heart slumbers beneath that soil, too.

Water is charged deep down in the well on this land and it flows right next to you like a tribute.

Home, I supposed I’d call it. Countryside, I’ll always bleed it.

Cornfields, stargazing, and more stray cats than I could name.

The perfect racetrack to run back to you, kicking up dirt on the pathway.

[lolinspired]

This was always my path

and I don’t care who is confused.

In fact, I don’t care who can’t face me

because that’s less work for me to do.

This is always who I’ve been;

ground, grass, and roots.

[lolinspired]

You & I by One Direction on Apple Music

Song · 2013 · Duration 3:57

[lolinspired]

I Would Eat the Trees

Literally, I chewed on pine needles

to deepen the fragrant sensation

of earth permeating the air.

I inhaled deeply in the countryside

far away from stifling commerce

and the peanut county fair.

I thought I’d want the city life,

but to this, nothing compares.

[lolinspired]

Borrowed Time by MALIA on Apple Music

Song · 2021 · Duration 3:09

[lolinspired]

You Care, But

you throw all your insults at me.

I don’t take the injury, but I see

that you don’t mean to hurt me.

You just consider me invincible

like I don’t have feelings.

[lolinspired]

dark days by 21 Savage & Mariah the Scientist on Apple Music

Song · 2024 · Duration 4:55

[lolinspired]

I’m not your mother

but I reproach you

when I hate what you’ve done.

When you are careless and stupid,

I threaten the love that you want.

[lolinspired]

sailing NOT selling by Jhené Aiko on Apple Music

Song · 2011 · Duration 2:08

[lolinspired]

Wasted by Summer Walker on Apple Music

Song · 2019 · Duration 2:34

[lolinspired]

Flowers at The Door

You were right to leave them there

without disturbing my peace.

You were right to give me rings

and symbolize your love to me.

You were right to buy me sweets

and remind me to sing.

You were right to lace my shoes

before I continued walking.

You were right to stop the beat

to let me dance gracefully.

You were right to let me go.

I was right to leave nothing.

[lolinspired]

30 Min Convo

When I’m with him, I don’t guess

He has the answer that is already ready

He is like preparation in my new beginnings

Already certain and perfectly clever

When I’m with him, I see better

I know better and I know how

A 30 minute conversation

Is a destiny dreamt aloud

[lolinspired]

Just as I dreamt,

the room is quiet and clean.

I breathe into it effortlessly.

I am happy in this moment.

It is both quiet and lively

in the way that only my aunt and nana

embodied before me.

[lolinspired]

Warm Water by BANKS on Apple Music

Song · 2013 · Duration 3:28